Unstable weather to last till tomorrow
DUBAI — Weather conditions in the UAE will continue to be unstable in the next few days, according to forecasters at the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM), Abu Dhabi. Cloudy conditions accompanied by rainfall over scattered areas in the coastal region and very rough seas were expected to prevail till tomorrow.
However, forecasters said that the UAE will be relatively safe, and will not experience extreme flash floods similar to the ones in Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Floods in these countries have caused more than 30 deaths — prompting several emergency alerts.
What is causing flash floods in the region?
Dr Ahmed Habib, meteorologist at the NCM, explained there is a big difference between the UAE and weather conditions in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain. “The difference is the pressure system or the synoptic system that affects the region.” In weather terms, synoptic means the pressure pattern, fronts, wind direction and speed and how they will change and evolve over the coming few days. Severe weather conditions occur when high surface temperatures coincide with cold upper troughs.
Dr Habib said: “The UAE is currently experiencing an extension of the low pressure in the upper air over Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, causing flash floods.”
He added: “There are cloud formations in the central region of Saudi Arabia, and some of these clouds are moving towards the UAE.
“They are revolving over the east of the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, travelling towards the island of Abu Dhabi, coastal areas and parts of northern Abu Dhabi. This is a continuity of the conditions prevailing in the region.
“Furthermore, during the transition period between summer and winter, the weather changes quickly, as clouds move from west to east, causing turbulence in weather.”
On Sunday, residents experienced severe weather in the UAE. “On Monday — compared to the previous night — the weather was stable. In the afternoon, in the East of Abu Dhabi, there was cloud forming, coming in from Saudi Arabia.
“This phenomenon caused some rains in the area between Abu Dhabi and Dubai,” explained Dr Habib.
Forecast of rough sea and dusty weather
In the coastal and northern parts of the UAE, incoming clouds are expected to trigger heavy rain and strong winds, causing very rough seas and dusty weather.
“There will be blowing sand, and also some scattered rain,” he added. The national meteorological agency has also issued a strong warning for everybody to be careful, and not to venture into the rough seas.
Today, northwesterly winds are expected to travel with speed 20– 35kmph, reaching 45kmph over the sea, causing blowing dust and sand with poor horizontal visibility at times.
By Wednesday, the northwesterly winds, becoming northeasterly and easterly by the afternoon, with speed 18–30kmph, reaching 35kmph. The seas will be moderate by then.
On Sunday, police officials in all emirates responded to the rains by sending out an emergency alert to mobile phones, warning residents to stay indoors for their safety. Several residents took to the social media to thank the authorities for the weather alert messages.
Dr Habib added: “People should be careful while driving until Wednesday. There will be special cloud formation and rains in the north of the UAE. After Wednesday, the weather should improve, except for few cloud formation, and seas will be rough in some areas.”
The UAE is currently experiencing an extension of the low pressure in the upper air over Saudi Arabia and the Middle East Dr Ahmed Habib, meteorologist, NCM